Reviews of Port Orleans Riverside Resort (Moderate Resort)

Reviews

219

Rating

8.37 / 10

Recommended By

89%



Reviewed by WDWinMD Review Date: 02/02/2013

Rating: (9)
Recommended

We stayed here in January and had a great experience. We stayed in the Alligator Bayou section and loved the theming in our room. We had a long walk to the food court but were happy with the quality and selections offered, as well as the cashiers' knowledge regarding how to best use the dining plan. The bus transportation was the best we have experienced in our stays at WDW (this was our second stay at Riverside and 7th on property). We do enjoy YeeHaw Bob.

Pros:

Loved the theming, value, transportation

Cons:

Distance to the food court
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Reviewed by DisneyGrandma68 Review Date: 01/31/2013

Rating: (10)
Recommended

We stayed in one of the new Princess rooms facing a very pretty courtyard garden and were very impressed with how lovely these rooms are. I had asked to be close to my son and his girlfriend and was happy to find out we were given adjoining rooms which makes it nice for having coffee in the AM or checking with each other on times etc. We had pizza in our rooms from the food court (very good) and did not have to go outside to visit each other's room. The grounds were so pretty in the evening and we were very close to the main building which was great for a snack or to shop in the gift shop. Check in was so easy and fast. We have stayed at Contemporary, Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge and PO French Quarter and this is right at the top of our list. Beds were wonderful, maybe a little softer pillow would help (that is why I bring my own). They were very firm. It did rain and pour for most of our trip, but the resort was still so nice and taking the boat to DD is a real perk and relaxing also. We would stay here again anytime. Next time I hope to bring the grandkids.

Pros:

rooms are beautiful

Cons:

non
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Reviewed by GMarcan920 Review Date: 01/28/2013

Rating: (6)
Recommended

Way too large and spread out, a real problem if you have trouble walking. Accommodations were very nice as is usual with Disney; had an issue at check in but it was solved after about 30 minutes.

Pros:

Nice Room, Nicely Cleaned Every Day

Cons:

Too big and spread out
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Reviewed by adjordan Review Date: 01/15/2013

Rating: (9)
Recommended

We stayed in the Acadian House. Parking was easy, finding the room was a little more difficult. We had a garden view and our room seemed miles away from the parking lot. It's not a terrible issue. It was just a little confusing at first. The room was nice and you could tell that it had been recently renovated. The beds were comfortable. Our check-in was smooth thanks to a gentleman named Dave. We spent several evenings catching a movie on the lawn and enjoying the pool. They were great ways to unwind after spending the day at the parks. The grounds were well maintained and provided great views for evening strolls. The only issue we had was after my daughter got sick after eating at the food court. It was the middle of the night and she headed to the front door instead of the bathroom. We immediately cleaned up the mess and alerted housekeeping that the carpet would need cleaned. When we returned from the parks the next day, we could see(and smell)that it hadn't been done. We called housekeeping again and it was taken care of that evening. There were many more positives that negatives. We never encountered any staff members that were rude. They were all very friendly. If you stay here you must catch YeeHaw Bob's show. It was a blast for the whole family.

Pros:

price, room, nightly movies, pool, YeeHaw Bob

Cons:

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Reviewed by Dale Review Date: 01/12/2013

Rating: (9)
Recommended

We had a great stay at Riverside. The grounds of the resort are majestic. We were in the Alligator Bayou and found the rooms comfortable and well themed. We really enjoyed the Princess and the Frog touches. The Food Court was consistently good, and we never waited more than 5 minutes for the bus. We also enjoyed the boat ride to Downtown Disney. We would definitely stay here again.

Pros:

Theming, Landscaping, Quiet, Multiple Bus Stops

Cons:

Some rooms are far from main building
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Reviewed by muhmuh Review Date: 01/03/2013

Rating: (10)
Recommended

My 5 year old granddaughter and I spent 5 magical days at PORS! Yes, it is a huge resort, but so beautiful! We had a royal guest room and it was perfect! Our mouse keeper was awesome and created magical characters everyday, but one!
We loved the food court and even had room service with pizza one evening. The pools were heated and so relaxing for both of us. One evening we returned from the magic kingdom and they were showing movies on the lawn! Everyone was wonderful. Only waited 10 minutes for the buses! This is a great resort and will stay there again and again!!'

Pros:

Everything

Cons:

Nothing
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Reviewed by earthmom7 Review Date: 01/03/2013

Rating: (9)
Recommended

Stayed 12/22/12-12/29/12. This was our second time stay at POR, first time was 5 years ago at Christmas. We had reserved a garden view room and were placed in Acadian House. The room was much nicer than our previous room in Alligator Bayou. Our room was close to one of the quiet pools, Old Man Island and the North Bus Stop. The staff was polite and helpful from check-in to check-out. We enjoyed the pools, the restaurants, the arcade and the boat transportation to and from Downtown Disney. The only minor complaint we had was the some what inconsistency in housekeeping. While our room was cleaned every day the coffee and cups were not restocked until we specifically requested it (and left a second tip). Bus transportation was a bit spotty during the week but I think is a bigger Disney issue and not something to blame on the resort. We would definitely stay here again.

Pros:

Room, staff, grounds

Cons:

inconsistent housekeeping
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Reviewed by rlsaumure Review Date: 01/02/2013

Rating: (10)
Recommended

Just booked our 5th vacation at this resort for the end of the month. We have enjoyed every experience so far. The staff is always friendly and the grounds are always beautifully maintained.

The resort is divided into 2 sections, Alligator Bayou & Magnolia Bend. Alligator Bayou is made to look like a Lousiana bayou and you stay in "Cabins" that are made to look rustic (hand carved wood beds, and shower tile that looks like wood) but rest assured everything is modern and well laid out. Magnolia has nicely groomed grounds and the rooms are located in buildings that look like southern mansions.

There are fountains, ponds and gazebos around the resort and 5 pools, 2 free form quiet pools in Alligator Bayou and 2 traditional quiet pools in Magnolia Bend and the main pool. The main pool is a huge free form pool that has a slide that the kids love.

If you want to cut down on the walking, pay the premium and request a river view room, this will guarantee you a room along the main path. An Alligator Bayou river view room will be your best bet (ask for building 14, 18 or 27) 14 being a two minute walk from the main building. Don't be afraid to ask what's available when you check in they are happy to accommodate if possible.

Utilize the water taxi to Downtown Disney it's a pleasant ride and you can have a few drinks and not have to worry about driving back. The water taxi's leave every 20 minutes but they will add more if it gets busy.

The Riverside Mill (counter service restaurant) can get quite busy in the morning but the lines move pretty quick (get somebody to hunt down a table while you are in line to pay). Or you can grab some cereal or a parfait the night before and eat in you room. Be sure to visit the River Roost (bar) with the kids Wed - Sat evenings, there is an entertainer there that is a lot of fun.

We always rent a car but have taken the buses occasionally, it gets very busy when the parks close and if your at the last stop in the resort it feel like a long trip at the end of a big day. You can rent a car for for $200-$250 at the airport and it never takes longer than 5 minutes to exit the park.

If your looking for a really nice resort with a lot of amenities, POR is the best bang for the buck...........unless you have money to burn.

Pros:

Beautiful grounds, friendly staff, great pools

Cons:

Resort is large for some
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Reviewed by MKFan Review Date: 01/02/2013

Rating: (6)
Recommended

We've stayed at this resort about 4 or 5 times since 1997. I always dread the check-in people and now add concierge to the dread list. Are they trained to be uncooperative and rude? I was wondering if it has something to do with the theme of the resort since it's been going on for so long.

I called Disney and made this reservation. I had requested one building that has been converted to (extra expensive) Royal rooms... not knowing the entire building had been converted. The person on the phone said no problem and marked the building down. When we arrived, they informed us that that building was now all Royal rooms. (Why didn't the person on the phone know this?) So they put us back at Arcadia House which turned out to be a good location - quiet, not too far from pool and if you do a shortcut thru the pool area, not too far from food court. (But it is a walk if you have trouble walking.)

The problem with the room was that the wall unit airconditioning system was directed to blow the cold air right into the head of the bed nearest the door especially, and also got part of the bed that is nearer the bathroom. You can't turn the vents and if the air was turned down, the room got muggy. I stopped at the front desk and then concierge and asked if there was anything that could be done. Maybe a different room or move the beds. I explained that I get headaches easily and was suffering from a continuous 2 day headache and was misearable with this room. They said "Sorry, there is nothing we can do."

I switched beds with the other person in my party who doesn't suffer from headaches and after 2 nights of the cold air blasting, she too was suffering. We had taken the exta pillows and chairs and tried to block the air flow, to no relief. What finally worked was laying the towels over half of the vents to block it at the source. I can't believe what a poor setup Disney has designed for air conditioning in these rooms.
I think that it is similar in the Value resors too. I seem to remember having similar problems at All Star Sports.

Another problem I noticed at Arcadia House was that every so often there was a skunk like smell the came thru the back vent over the sinks.

The grounds at the resort are beautiful if you like pathways along a river with trees and flowers (in season) all around.

I wish they would start serving breakfast in the restaurant again. It is only open for dinner now and serves mainly cajun food.

Got to see Bob in the lounge and had a blast. He is fun for all ages. They are showing movies at night and there are horse drawn carriages at the resort. It's a pretty setting.

The day before we were leaving we happened to be in the lobby and a cast member that worked at check-in was talking to us. One of the nicest people you could meet. Wish she would have been there when we were having problems.

Pros:

Resort grounds & activities, pretty rooms

Cons:

Check-in, Concierge, airconditioners in rooms, restaurant closed for breakfast
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